MHRD develops SOPs for online classes, lesser screen time for students

The HRD Ministry is working on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for online classes to ensure students don't have to spend hours before a computer screen or on phones to attend virtual classes and instead can learn at their own pace, according to MHRD officials.

Classroomteaching to online learning in schools and higher education began due to theongoing outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic. The educational institutions havebeen closed ever since.

Theguidelines are being developed due to complaints received from parents aboutschools conducting online classes like regular schools. This in turn has increasedchildren's screen time.

In a reportby the Hindu states according to an official, "The guidelines are being framedin consultation with various stakeholders. A fixed duration of online classeswill be recommended to ensure students are not sitting before electronicdevices for long hours". "The online platform used for imparting classes will allowstudents to learn at their own pace rather than making it a strictclassroom-bound approach," the official added.

The guidelines will also suggest different segments from those who have access to digital facilities to those who hardly have access to digital amenities. School Education Secretary Anita Karwal said, "When we began with the thrust on e-learning, the focus was more on access to e-learning. Technology without equity will not lead to effective learning in all our children," she said.